On American’s New Business Class

I agree with you that American’s new International Business Class is not perfect. However, it is a vast, vast improvement over what it had before, and far superior to the current Delta, United, and US Airways offerings, and even Continental’s BusinessFirst. This fall, we are going to Spain and Portugal and flying Iberia’s Business Class on your recommendation. Thank you also for your article on American’s Business Class seats to Hawaii on the 767-300s (
April 2008). We immediately booked them for next February.

- Ron Hagmeyer, Golden, CO

I travel often in Business Class on Air France from San Francisco to Paris. The cabin is due for a seat upgrade. It’s not nearly as comfortable as the new American seats, which I took to Argentina.

- Barry C. Baron, MD, San Francisco, CA

We recently tried out the new American Business seats on a flight from Paris to New York. In some ways, they’re worse than the old seats. They do recline more than the old ones, but that’s accomplished by moving the footrest into the well under the seat in front of you. If you recline fully, you cannot stow anything in that space. If you’re in a window seat, there’s no way to get out when the person in the aisle seat is reclined, even slightly. Add to that some of the worst food we’ve ever been served in a “premium” international cabin. Definitely not recommended. Because I’m trapped in the AAdvantage program, I’ll probably try Iberia on our next trip. We used miles for upgrades on this trip (and a co-pay!), but you cannot use AA miles with Iberia to upgrade. Maybe the Alaska Airlines mileage program is the way to plan an escape route.

- John Viescas, Nashua, NH

Upgrade Candy

I do not have a tip, but I do want to say thank you. I eagerly read First Class Flyer the day that it arrives. Not because I travel all the time (I wish), but rather because it allows me to travel vicariously in First Class.

- Michael Gates, Davie, FL

Never Give Up

United offered me a $639 upgrade (economy to Business Class) from Hong Kong to Los Angeles last week at the airport upon check in. I stayed in China longer than I expected and was prepared to fly “back of the bus” on the return, but then decided to try and work a last minute upgrade. Realizing I was out of System Wide Upgrades (complimentary 1K elite upgrades), I thought I was stuffed. But I asked anyway and learned that I could purchase a one-way upgrade home for $639. Being that I was able to upgrade free on the outbound, this was a steal in my opinion. My original ticket was $1,200 round-trip in economy from Grand Rapids to Hong Kong. My total cost for Business Class totaled only $1,839 round-trip with the two upgrades. I guess it doesn’t hurt to ask, eh? Perhaps other road warriors on United can take advantage of asking “how much to upgrade,” if some of the other methods don’t work.

- Thom Bridgham, Ada, MI

Some Choice

I have a Chase Visa card affiliated with United. These “Choices” miles are supposed to have no restriction. To get a Business Class round-trip from San Francisco to Auckland using a normal “saver” award would cost 110,000 miles, using a “standard” award would be 220,000 miles. I was shocked to discover that using “Choices” it would cost 1,000,000 miles. Who would charge a million dollars on their Visa card to get a free ticket?

- Warren Serkin, Alameda, CA

While I talk a lot about my favorite credit cards for earning and redeeming miles, FCF could probably talk more than once or twice a year about what cards NOT to carry. I found that cards offering their own currencies are duds when it comes to Business and First Class travel. This includes all those MBNA and Capitol One offers you get every week. While their “no blackout dates” song sounds great, the fine print and the award chart tell you the real story.–MB

Have an interesting experience with a seat or fare to share? Write me today: Mr.Upgrade@FirstClassFlyer.com